Closing ring for shipping containers



Feb. 25, 1969 A. SOESBERGEN CLOSING RING FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS [NVEN'I'OR ADRIANl/S SOESBERGEN Filed May 11. 1967 United States Patent 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A split closing ring for shipping containers is described, which is joined circumferentially by a projection engageable with corresponding apertures, and having a means by which a tool can be inserted to draw the ends tightly together for sealing the container.

This invention relates to split closing rings for securing a cover to a shipping container body. In particular, the invention concerns a means for tightly drawing a channelshaped split closing ring into engagement with corresponding flanges of the cover and body of a shipping container, whereby the members may be tightly clamped together.

Channel-shaped closing or clamping rings for use in closing shipping containers are well known. In general, they comprise a circumferential ring having a channe cross-section in which the open side of the channel is turned inward. The cover and body of the container each are provided with a circumferential flange at the point where they are to be joined, and the abutting flanges are engaged by the closing ring. As the channel is drawn tighter, the flanges are pressed more tightly into engagement and a suitable seal is thereby achieved.

Previous types of closing rings have been provided with tightening means such as a pivoted latching lever. This type of lever is very similar to the latching mechanism commonly found on suitcases and other luggage. It is generally hinged to one of the split ends of the closing ring, and carries at its midpoint a pivoted link that is hookingly engageable with the other split end of the ring. By drawing the lever upwardly and away from the open joint, the split ends of the closing ring are drawn tightly together. This type of device is generally constructed so that the lever moves into a somewhat over-center position whereby the latch remains closed.

Although generally useful, closing devices of the above construction have disadvantages of relative complexity and high cost. The pivoting members must be freely operable, yet possess sufficient strength to securely hold the ends of the split ring together under the shocks and abuse encountered during handling and shipment of the container. Another disadvantage is that the operating end of the lever of such a latch often projects in a manner which makes it likely to snag or catch during shipment, with the possibility that the ring may come open and the contents of the container may be spilled.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a closing ring for securing a cover to a shipping container body, which closing ring comprises a minimum number of parts, and having the further advantages of greater strength and lower production cost. It is contemplated that this result may be achieved without the use of articulated or pivoted links of any kind.

A further object is to provide a closing means of the above description which is not likely to come open during handling or shipment, having no projecting opening levers which could be accidentally forced open. It is also 3,429,605 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 "ice contemplated that the closing means of the present invention will be easily lockable to prevent inadvertent opening and to discourage pilferage.

Still another objection is to provide such a closing means which can be clamped securely in the closed position with the aid of a simple operating tool, such as a screwdriver, and can be released when desired in a similar manner.

In connection with the foregoing, it is also an object to provide a closing ring having a plurality of clamping positions such that the ring may be selectively tightened to a moderate degree of clamping force during shipment of the empty container, and then clamped securely with a greater clamping force after the container has been filled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of the split ends of a closing ring constructed according to the present invention, with the ends shown in disengaged position prior to clamping;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the clamping ring of FIG. 1, with the members shown engaged to provide a moderate clamping force, as during shipment of the empty container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustrating the manner in which the closing ring of the foregoing figures is levered into a tightened position through the use of an operating tool;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the above closing ring in the tightly clamped position; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the above closing ring about to be separated through the use of a similar operating tool.

While the invention is described in connection with a certain illustrative embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to so limit the invention. It is intended instead to cover all alternative and equivalent constructions as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Turning first to FIG. 1, a split closing ring constructed according to the present invention is shown. The ring is split so as to have a first end 10 and a second end 11, the latter being provided with an overlying portion 12 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a separate member. The overlying member 12 is attached by suitable attachment means 13, such as the spot-welds shown. The ring has a generally channel-shaped cross-section with the open side of the circumferential wall 14 of the channel directed inwardly of the ring. The cover member and body of the container to be secured are then provided with corresponding flanges (not shown) which abut to form a composite flange which fits within the open section of the channel in the conventional manner. By drawing the ring closed, the members may be clamped securely together.

As a principal feature of the invention, means are provided for securing the split ends 10, 11 of the closing ring which require no articulated or pivotal parts, and which leave no operating levers or other mechanism exposed which might inadvertently be sprung open during handling or shipment. This is achieved by providing an L- shaped member 15 which is secured to the exterior of the circumferential wall 14 of the first ring end 10 by other attachment means 16, such as the spot-welds shown. Rivets could also be used.

The L-shaped member 15 has a radially extending projection 17 at one end. For locking the ends 10, 11 together, the radial projection 17 is engageable with the overlapping member 12 through one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 18. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the radial projection 17, is engageable with either of the two apertures 18 shown, thereby securing the ends 10, 11 of the split ring together.

.Also a further feature of the invention, the radial projection 17 is provided at it protruding tip with a hole 19 which is adapted to receive an inserted sealing member, such as a lock wire 20 or the like. When the ring is assembled in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the sealing means may be applied so as to provide .a tamperproof and pilferproof seal.

Pursuant to a related aspect of the invention, the closing ring may be selectively assembled in a plurality of positions corresponding to the various apertures 18 in the over lapping member 12. During shipment of an empty container, for example, the ring would be assembled as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the ring being drawn only moderately tight through the insertion of the radial projection 17 into the aperture 18 closest to the extremity of the second end 11 of the split ring. After the container has been filled, the ring may be assembled with the projection 17 extending through the other aperture 18 which thereby renders the closed diameter of the closing ring smaller so as to elfect a tighter seal.

It is a further feature of the invention that the closing ring is provided with clamping means whereby the split ends 10, 11 of the ring may be drawn tightly together into a clamped position through the use of a simple operating tool, such as a screwdriver. For this purpose an abutment 21 is provided having an operating face extending radially from the circumferential wall 14 of the first split end of the ring. In the illustrated example, the abutment 21 is simply formed by providing a squaredoif end of the L-shaped member 15 which carries the radial projection 17. The abutment 21 is located in a position circumferentially spaced from the radial projection 17 by a distance corresponding to the distance between two of the apertures 18 in the overlapping member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the overlapping member 12 is provided with two apertures 18 which are each engageable with the radial projection 17, and with a third aperture 22 having a slightly different configuration but being circumferentially spaced from the nearest aperture 18 by an amount corresponding to the circumferential separation of one aperture 18 from the other.

The reason for the spacing of the abutment 21 from the radial projection 17 in this manner will become apparent upon reference to FIG. 3. By inserting a suitable operating tool such as a screwdriver 23 through the third aperture 22 and into engagement with the abutment 21, the overlapping member 12 may be levered in a circumferential direction with respect to the abutment 21, thereby drawing the ends 10, 11 of the closing ring tightly together. The abutment 21 thereby serves as a temporary fulcrum against which the operating tool 23 i brought to bear. It will be observed that by providing a spacing between the abutment 21 and projection 17 corresponding to a distance between two of the apertures 18 (or one aperture 18 and the aperture 22), the projection 17 is caused to line up properly for engagement when the operating tool 23 is used to lever the ring into a more tightly closed position.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the overlapping member 12 need not be a separate member as in the illustrated embodiment, but may be integral with the second end 11 of the closing ring itself.

Further in accordance with the invention, the closing ring may be quickly and easily opened with the same operating tool 23 which was used to lever it tightly together. As shown in FIG. 5, the operating tool 23 is merely inserted into the space between the overlapping member 12 and the outer circumferential wall of the first end 10 of the ring adjacent the abutment 21. The operating tool 23 is simply used to pry the two members 10, 12 apart, thereby disengaging the radial projection 17 from the aperture 18 in which it was engaged.

I claim as my invention:

1. A closing ring for securing a cover to a container body, said ring comprising, in combination, a split-ring member having a circumferential wall and first and second ends, said second end being adapted to overlap said first end and having a plurality of spaced apertures in said circumferential wall, said first end including an L- shaped member having a first leg comprising a radial projection and having a second leg terminating in an end comprising a radial projection and having a second leg terminating in an end comprising a raised abutment and said ring having attachment means for securing said L- shaped member to said first end of said split-ring member.

2. A closing ring as defined in claim 1, in which said ring member is channel-shaped with the open side of the channel directed inwardly of said ring.

3. A closing ring .as defined in claim 2, in which said radially extension projection has a hole in its extremity, and having a sealing means inserted therethrough whereby the closing .ring is locked against opening.

4. A closing ring as defined in claim 1 having three circumferentially spaced apertures in said second end, the endmost aperture being adapted to receive an operating tool inserted therethrough into engagement with said abutment whereby said ring ends may be levered into clamping engagement.

5. A closing ring as defined in claim 1 having an overlapping member comprising the overlapping portion of said second end of said ring member, and having attachment means for securing said overlapping member to said ring member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 14,762 11/ 1919 Springer 21794 2,283,339 5/ 1942 Phillips 292-256.65 2,313,459 3/ 1943 Van Horn 29225 6.65 2,703,248 3/ 1955 Mauer 292'256.65 3,027,128 3/1962 Liberty 2.4874

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 24-20 

